A new Marine Fisheries Initiative (PCCSMFI) is underway at the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies. The goals of this new program are to foster collaboration and understanding between fishermen and scientists and conduct cooperative research and education with a focus on scientific and policy issues confronting Provincetown and outer Cape fishermen and aquaculturists.

Owen Nichols, Director

The new program is directed by Owen Nichols, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Massachusetts School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST). Owen grew up on the Cape, and began to take an active interest in fisheries science and management during his years in the PCCS right whale research program. He tells the story behind his desire to start this new program:

"When I started working on our right whale research project, I was sitting in a coffee shop one day poring over a plot of right whale sightings in Cape Cod Bay. One of our local lobstermen leaned over my shoulder and jabbed his finger right into the middle of the plot, and said, 'I fish right there, what are all those dots?'. Thus began the first of many conversations during which we both learned a lot. Over the years I've spent a lot of time out on the docks and gotten to know many of our local fishermen. We've always maintained an open, frank dialogue about fisheries management, science, and conservation issues. Many of them have expressed an interest in working with scientists on cooperative research projects, in particular with a local organization. The nature of cooperative fisheries research requires close coordination and staff that can be nearby and flexible, ready to go when the seas lay down or the fishing is good."

There are many aspects of fisheries biology, ecology, and oceanography that are poorly understood and yet crucial to an accurate understanding of how fishing and other human activities affect the marine ecosystem and how best to manage fishing activity. The manner in which natural and anthropogenic variations in fisheries landings relate to one another and to biotic and abiotic factors is difficult to interpret without adequate data. Working together, fishermen can combine their skills and knowledge with the tools and techniques employed by scientists to conduct field research aimed at filling gaps in our knowledge and providing managers with sound science on which to base management decisions.

Initially, outreach will be conducted among Provincetown and outer Cape fishermen and aquaculturists to define key issues and build the foundation for cooperative research partnerships. A few projects are already underway:

Research Projects:

Nantucket Sound weir sites

Working with commercial weir fishermen in Chatham, Nichols is studying the effects of environmental variables on the distribution of longfin inshore squid (Loligo pealeii). Understanding the responses of squid to temperature, salinity, wind, and other factors has profound implications for the interpretation of abundance surveys and landings data, on which managers base decisions, as well as an understanding of the potential effects of climate change. This project is part of Nichols' doctoral research at SMAST and is supported by the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Institute and grants from the Norcross Wildlife Foundation/A.V. Stout Fund and the Sounds Conservancy/Quebec-Labrador Foundation.

Squid hatchling

An offshoot of this project, PCCSMFI's inaugural project began in direct response to concerns of Nantucket Sound fishermen that squid eggs could be vulnerable to fishing gear before they hatch. Nichols is working with commercial fishermen and the PCCS habitat studies lab to investigate the time of hatching and the association with environmental factors such as water temperature. Once the timing of hatching and associated conditions are determined, these data can be used to inform fishermen and managers and aid them in their decision-making process with respect to the manner in which fishing gear is deployed in spawning habitat.

Check back frequently for updates on new projects!

For more information on this program and PCCSMFI research projects email the director, Owen Nichols at nichols@coastalstudies.org.